Vending machine



Nov. 10, 1936. G. J. MOLAREN 2,060,741

VENDING MACHINE Filed July 31, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 G. J. M LAREN VENDING MACHINE Nov. 10, 1936.

Filed Jui 51, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l illh ll I 5 L7. JMI'Larazz Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATEEi 2 Claims.

This invention is directed to an improvement in vending machines involving coin-controlled mechanism for selectively delivering to the purchaser, following the deposit of. a proper coin,

any one of the articles on display in the apparatus.

The present invention is directed particularly to a lock-out mechanism for automatically preventing a customer from obtaining more than a single operation of the apparatus following the deposit of a coin; the invention also including a coin detector mechanism through the use of which the apparatus is made responsive to a proper coin only.

In connection with the look-out mechanism, it has been found by experiment that it is possible under rapid and practically coordinated action for the purchaser to operate more than a single delivery container following the deposit of a single coin in the absence of. a lock-out and, therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a lock-out mechanism which will permit selective operation of one container of the apparatus but which will lock out the operative parts immediately following the operation of a single container, with the look-out operating automatically and responsive for release only following the deposit of a proper coin.

In connection with the coin detector, the construction is designed to immediately detect and discharge the use of a substitute for a proper coin which exceeds the weight of a proper coin and which will further prevent the operative effect of any deposited element, whether a proper coin or not, so long as the apparatus is in an operated condition.

Therefore, a further object of the invention is the provision of a coin detector which will immediately eject any coin or slug, the weight of which vent operation by any element or com lighter than the proper coin; and which will prevent release of the locking parts for any movement thereof by the deposit of a coin or element of any type unless the parts are in position to respond to the deposit of a proper coin.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a View in elevation illustrating cooperating locking bars, the control for a delivery cage in which the article to be vended is originally deposited and showing more particularly the coin detector.

Figure 2 is a vertical section on line 22 of Figure l.

exceeds that of the proper coin; which will pre- Figure 3 is a broken elevation showing more particularly the lock-out mechanism.

Figures isa section on line 4l of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing the look-out pawl in release position.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view, showing the position of the trip plate of the coin detector, following the movement of said plate in response to-thedeposit of a propercoin.

Figure '7 is a vertical sectional view through the coin detector, showing the position oiv the slug responsive trip plate under operative movement of the locking bars to prevent the further operation by a. coin until the locking bars have been restored to normal position.

Figure .8 is a perspective view of the slug-responsive trip plate.

Iniconnection with the present invention, it is to be understood that the machine as a whole, other :than as to the coin detector and lock-out mechanism, is similar to that shown and described in Letters .Patent No. 1,869,070, issued to me July 26, 1932, wherein there is a series of vertical locking bars which are operated by a manually operable member selected in accordance with the wish of the customer to receive a certain article from the container. Through the operation of the manually operable member, a container .is released and movesto a discharge position.

In order that the application of the improvements of the present invention may be better understood, it may be stated that the locking bars corresponding to those in the patent referred to are indicated at I and2, the lock for the article cage at 3, the spring for operating thecage at t, and the manually operable member for actuating the locking bars and releasing the lock 3 indicated at 5. As will be plain from the disclosure of the patent, the locking bars are made. in sections arranged in vertical alignment and the manually operable element 5 is moved between and at right angles to the sections.

The upper locking bar section engaged by the manually operable element 5.has a surface in the plane of movement of the upper edge of the element, so that on the movement of any element, the locking bars above. that element are not operated but are obviously prevented from downward movement. The upper edge of each lockingbar. below the element is formed with aninclined edget and the element 5 .is formedwith a corresponding edge. l,.so that on the inward movement of the element the= particular. locking bar, en-

gagedis forced to move downwardly, causing at corresponding movement of all lower locking bars.

Thus, when any manually operable element is actuated, the particular lower locking bar engaged by that element is moved downwardly and all corresponding locking bar sections below the element are correspondingly moved downwardly which at once precludes from operation all lower manually operable elements, because the locking bars are moved across the path of movement of such lower manually operable elements. As a particular manually operable element 5 is moved inwardly, it not only actuates the locking bars as described but a shoulder 8 on such element elevates the lock 3, releasing a pin 9 which is carried by the article cage and to which the spring 4 is connected. The cage so released automatically moves to discharge position, delivering the article to the purchaser.

It is, of course, understood that the present invention is not particularly concerned with the details described but the description is given in order that a fair understanding of the operation of the machine as a whole in connection with the details forming the subject-matter of this invention may be better understood.

The coin detector mechanism will first be described. Secured upon a wall II] of the casing housing the article cages is a plate II, this plate underlying the lowermost locking bar which is indicated at I2. Overlying the plate II and spaced therefrom is a plate I3, spacing washers or the like I4 on the bolts securing the plates in position serving to maintain a vertically directed space between the plates II and I3, which space is slightly in excess of the thickness of a proper coin and thus provides what may be termed a coin channel I5.

The extreme upper edge of the plate I3 is turned outwardly to provide an edge flange I6 and secured to and depending from this edge flange is what may be termed the coin detector proper. This coin detector comprises a plate which at its forward end is of inverted U-form, that is includes an inner section I8 which extends through the forward wall of the casing of the apparatus to provide a coin entrance.

The upper end of the coin detector is flat, as at I9, and underlies the flange I6 of the plate I3 to provide for removably securing the coin detector in place, as by threaded bolts 20. The flange I6 of the plate I3 inclines inwardly and downwardly on the casing of the apparatus, so that the coin detector plate assumes a similar position to provide for a gravital inward movement of the deposited coins.

As previously stated, the coin detector is unprovided with any fixed lower edge or end and these supports for the movement of the coin are provided by what may be termed a slug-release trip and a coin trip. The slug-release trip is illustrated more particularly in Figures 2, '7, and 8 and includes a plate 2| of slightly arcuate form in cross section, from which project arms 22, and which is also provided below the plate 2| with a finger 23, the purpose of which latter will be more particularly referred to hereinafter.

The slug-release trip is pivotally supported on the coin detector plate, the upper ends of the arms 22 being fixedly supported on a rod 24 mounted in ears 25 on the outer side of the detector plate I'l relative to the casing of the apparatus. A spring 26 coiled about the pin and cooperating with one of the arms tends to normally hold the plate 2| of the slug-release trip in position to underlie and project inwardly relative to the coin detector plate IT. The inner portion of the plate 2| thus provides a coin support 21 which, at the U-form end of the detector plate, closes the lower end of the coin detector, and provides a ledge on which the coins deposited may travel longitudinally of the coin detector throughout at least the length of the plate 2|. This position of the slug-release trip, which is the normal position, is illustrated more particularly in Figure 2.

The coin-release trip, shown more particularly in Figures 4 and 6, comprises a plate 28 having an upstanding ear 29 pivotally connected to an ear 3|! on the plate H, the plate 28 having an upstanding extension 3| to serve as a weight element. The coin-release trip is so pivoted that the free edge of the plate 28 underlies the plate Il and projects inwardly toward the casing of the apparatus to provide a coin ledge 32 on which the coins may travel. This is the normal position of the coin-release trip and such trip is held in this normal position by the weight of the integral portion 3|, this position being illustrated more particularly in Figure 4.

It is understood that the plates 2| of the slugrelease trip and 28 of the coin-release trip are of such length and so related that when in normal position the respective parts 21 and 32 of these plates provide a substantially uninterrupted ledge on the relatively inner side of the detector plate down which the detected coins will travel. The coin detector plate I1 throughout the greater portion ofthe plate 2| of the slug-release trip is formed with an opening 33 which is of such length and height that any coins or slugs of a diameter less than that of the proper coins will, when passing the opening, be laterally tilted by their own weight through the opening and discharged.

The plate I? is further formed on the inner side, that is the side toward the casing of the apparatus, with a pin 34 so positioned with respect to the underlying coin ledge 21 that coins or slugs having a diameter exceeding that of the proper coin will be prevented from traveling beyond the pin, that is, will be held upon the ledge 2'! and will not thus have any efiect upon the apparatus and will also block the coin chute against the introduction of any further coins.

As previously stated, the coin-receiving ledges 21 and 32 of the slug-release trip and coin-release trip are in longitudinal alignment with their adjacent edges spaced apart merely sufliciently to permit independent movement of the trips. The coin-release trip has a dual function; first, to discharge coins or slugs which are of a diameter to avoid discharge through the opening 33 or interruption by the pin 34 and which as a consequence will reach the coin ledge 32 or" the coinrelease trip, without permitting such to effect an operative action of the apparatus; and second, to accurately discharge proper coins into a path to effect or permit an operation of the apparatus.

To secure this result, the weighted section 3| of the coin-release trip is delicately responsive to the weight of a proper coin, that is, a proper coin will move the trip but as the counterbalance element 3| is such as to be delicately responsive to the weight of the proper coin, it follows that the movement of the trip, when a proper coin is deposited thereon and moving longitudinally thereof, will actuate the trip but owing to the delicate balance the'movement of the trip will be in effect a gradual one rather than an immediately fully responsive one. If, however, this coin-release trip is subjected to the weight of a coin or slug which is in excess of the normal weight of the proper coins, the action of the trip will be very much more rapid than under the movement of a proper coin.

As a result of this control of the trip, it is mechanically possible to permit this single trip to take care of slugs or coins of improper weight While at the same time properly distributing coins of the proper weight and size for the control of the actuation of the apparatus. To further effect this result, the plat-e I3 is formed through out a definite length of the final portion of the coin-release trip with an outstanding lip 35 which directly underlies the ledge 32 of the coinrelease trip and deflects any coins delivered following removal of such ledge into the space l5 which is the coin space for the actuation of the look-out mechanism to be later referred to.

This lip 35 can be conveniently formed by slitting the upper portion of the plate 13 and bending the divided out portion outwardly, together with the provision of end walls for such space. The purpose is to provide a coin pathway which is so located with respect to the coin-release trip as to receive coins delivered from that trip which are of the proper weight and size. It will be remembered that this coin-release trip starts under the weight even of the proper coins to be displaced but as the coin is moving down the trip during this movement of the trip, such coin will not be actually discharged until it reaches a point near the lower edge of the trip at which point the lip 35 is located to receive and direct the coin so delivered into the coin space l5.

There is a considerable length, that is forward or upper length, of the ledge 32 of the coin-release trip which is not above the lip 35 and throughout this length of the ledge of the coinrelease trip there is a discharge of coins or slugs beyond the lip 35. If, therefore, the coin or slug is of greater weight than that of the proper coins, the movement of the coin-release trip will be so rapid, comparatively speaking, as to discharge such overweight coin or slug before there is a possibility of such coin or slug being in line with the lip 35.

Thus, only coins of the proper weight and size will be delivered to the coin space l5. Coins or slugs heavier than the proper coins will be discharged by the coin-release trip before reaching a point at which they could be delivered to the coin space 15. Of course, coins of the proper diameter and of materially less weight than the proper coins will simply pass throughout the full length of the ledge 32 of the coin-release trip without operating the trip and will be discharged beyond the end of such trip.

A plate 36 having a flared open upper end 31 and a lateral flange 38 at the lower end is secured to overlie the plate l3, with the upper open flared end in position to receive slugs discharged by the slug-release trip and slugs or coins discharged by the coin-release trip, other than those delivered to the inclined lip 35. The bottom flange 38 of the plate inclines downwardly and forwardly toward the front of the casing and there is here defined, through proper formation of the plate, an outlet 39 by which rejected coins or slugs are returned to the user.

The lock-out mechanism provides a means by which the locking bars are normally held against operative movement under the influence of any manually operable element, with such lock-out mechanism responsive, through the introduction of a coin, to release the mechanism, the look-out mechanism being further restored for subsequent complete automatic locking function by the upward movement of the lowermost locking bar under the actuation of any manually operable element.

As previously stated, all lock-out bar sections below the actuated manually operable element 5 are moved downwardly and the section l2 constitutes the'lowermost section of the locking bar, so that the section [2 is always moved downwardly no matter what manually operable element 5 may be actuated. The lock-out mechanism includes a lever pivotally supported at 4| on the plate II. This lever is formed at one free end adjacent the pivot with an upstanding restoring lug 42 and on the opposite side of the pivot with an upstanding abutment 43. The lever is extended beyond the abutment in the form of an arm 44 having a downwardly inclined free end portion 45. The movement of the lever in the opposite direction is limited by a pin 45 projecting from the plate H, with the movement in the inoperative direction limited by a pin 'll projecting from the plate 'I I.

A locking pawl 48 is pivotally supported at 48 on the plate II and guided and limited in movement in both directions through the medium of a pin 50 projecting from the plate H cooperating with an elongated slot 5| in the pawl above the pivot. The lower end of the pawl is V-shaped, presenting inclined edges 52 and 53 respectively and a leaf spring 54 anchored in the abutment 43 has an upturned end 55 which may cooperate with either of the inclined edges 52 or and in such cooperation swing the pawl in one direction or the other on its pivot 49.

The lower locking bar section I2 is limited in downward movement by a pin 56 projecting from the plate II, this lower limit of movement being below the upper free edge of the lug 42 of the lever 40, there being formed in the lower edge of the section l2 a cut-out or notch 5'! which is adapted to receive a portion of the upper free end of the lug 42 when the lever is in normal or inoperative position. When the upper end of the lug 42 is engaged in the notch 51, the lower edge of the section i2 is in contact with the pin 55. The locking pawl 48 is mounted adjacent the inner edge of the locking bar section [2 and this edge is formed with a cut-out portion 58, the vertical wall of which may be upwardly and inwardly inclined with respect to the edge while the upper edge of the cut-out portion presents an .abrupt shoulder 59 to serve as a limiting stop for engagement with the upper edge of the pawl to prevent the completion of a downward movement of any of the locking bars.

It will be noted from Figure 3, in which the lever 40 is shown in normal position, that the terminal 55 of the spring 54 is in engagement with the inclined edge 52 at the lower end of the pawl, so that the pawl is tilted so that its upper edge rests in the path of movement of the shoulder 59 of the locking bar section I2. The formation is such, however, that in normal position the shoulder 59 is slightly above the upper edge of the pawl, thus permitting an independent or lost motion movement of the lower section I2 of the locking bar which, however, is insufficient to permit any operation of the mechanism.

The inclined free end 45 of the lever 40 is arranged in the path of movement of the coins delivered by the lip 35 into the space l5, so that when a proper coin, which are the only ones thus delivered, engages the end 45 of the lever 40, the lever is tilted on its pivot 4|. This disposes the lug 42 beneath the lower end of the lower section 42 of the locking bar and carries the end of the spring 54 past the pointed lower end of the pawl 28 and into engagement with the inclined edge 53 of the pawl, with the effect to tilt the pawl on its pivot 44, so that its upper end is free of the path of movement of the shoulder 59 of the lower locking bar section l2. The parts then assume the positions shown in Figure 5. This section [2 is then free to be moved downwardly on the actuation of any manually operable element 5. In its downward movement it engages the upper end of the lock 42 and returns the lever to its normal position, This lug, following a curved path of movement incident to the pivot 4|, moves outwardly as well as downwardly, so as to be finally aligned with the notch 51 in the locking bar section l2 to permit this section I2 to move down even after the lever has been moved to a normal position.

Of course, in this movement of the locking bar ection [2, the shoulder 59 is moved downwardly below the upper edge of the pawl 48. As the locking lever moves to normal position, the end 55 of the spring 54 moves past the point at the lower end of the pawl and into contact with the inclined side 52. In this position the spring exerts a direct tendency to tilt the pawl into the locking position indicated in Figure 3, but as the shoulder 59 has moved below the lower edge of the pawl, the pawl can only move in contact with the normal side edge of the section 12 but is under sufficient spring tension to snap into the recess 58 when pressure on the manually operable element 5 has been released and the operated sections of the locking bar moved upwardly under the influence of a spring, such for example as indicated at 68 in Figure 3. Thus, the unlocking of the locking bars and their relocking is carried out entirely automatically.

As previously disclosed, the slug-release trip is provided with a finger 23. This finger is normally seated in an elongated opening 6| in the lowermost locking bar section l2. Therefore, under the lost motion permitted in this section by reason of the disposition of the shoulder 59 above the upper edge of the pawl 48, the slug-release trip will be directly actuated, as clearly indicated in Figures 2 and 7, so as to displace the coin ledge 21 of this trip to release any slug which may be retained by the pin 34 and to prevent the introduction of any coin into the apparatus during the operation of the locking bars.

What is claimed to be new is:

l. A coin detector including a plate secured to and held in spaced relation to a wall of the vending apparatus to provide a coin chute, the upper end of the plate being bent outwardly relative to the wall of the apparatus to provide a supporting flange, an inverted U-shaped member secured to and carried by said flange and overlying the plate, a swinging element supported on the outer side of the member and having a plate section movable to and from a position across the lower open end of the member, a weight for the element normally holding the plate section in normal position, said weight permitting a relatively slow swinging movement of the element to a position to open the lower end of the member under the travel of a coin of normal weight on said plate section, the weight permitting more rapid movement of the plate section under a coin or slug of greater than normal coin weight, the plate secured to the wall of the apparatus being formed with an opening having an outwardly inclined directing lip, with the opening and lip positioned beneath that portion of the plate section at which the section under the weight of the normal coin is moved to discharge the coin, and a second plate secured to the first plate and spaced therefrom to provide a spurious coin delivery, said second plate being open at the upper end and underlying at least the full length of the plate section of the element.

2. A construction as defined in claim 1, including means carried by the U-shaped member for the discharge of slugs into the space between the second plate and the first mentioned plate, said means providing a pathway whereby coins may be delivered onto the plate section of the element.

GERALD J. McLAREN. 

